A Carbondale woman was apprehended by city police detectives Sunday after she allegedly held up a local motel with a concrete block, police say.

The Knights Inn, 3000 W. Main, was robbed Sunday at 2:09 p.m.

Betty Purnell, 38, of Carbondale, was picked up for questioning regarding the robbery late Sunday evening and was later charged with armed robbery and possession of a controlled substance, a police spokesman said.

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Purnell was in possession of less than one gram of crack cocaine during the time of the arrest, Don Priddy, Carbondale Police public relations officer, said.

Police reports stated that Purnell allegedly entered the Knights Inn and placed a large concrete block on the counter and pointed to the cash register. An Inn employee then handed over the money, Bob George, manager of the Knights Inn, said.

She (the robber) did not say a word to the worker. She just walked in, and put the concrete down, and got the money and left. She got away with about $180, George said.

The Carbondale Police really did a good job getting out there and catching her, George said. They were really on the ball. I cannot emphasize that enough. This just proves that everyone should be really proud to live in this community.

Purnell appeared in court Monday, and was assigned a public defender. Her bond was set at $50,000, and her preliminary hearing was set for Oct. 10 at 9 a.m. She is currently being held at the Jackson County Jail, a secretary at the Jackson County Courthouse, said.